The Heartforger nodded. “I am worried about Likh though. Her symptoms should have dissipated by now. I’ve talked to Knox. Aden had been examined by one of the remaining Yadoshan asha who arrived from Steerfall, and it seems he’s already closer to recovery than she is. We’ve tested all our food. If there were any spells in it, we’d be afflicted as well. I don’t see why she should be recovering any differently.”

“Keep an eye on her, especially today. I don’t want any of those Drychta within a mile of Likh.”

“I’ll kill them if I have to.” Khalad sounded fierce.

Both the Yadoshans and the Odalians had reached an agreement by the time we returned. Knox grinned widely when he saw us. “Lady Tea,” he crowed, hefting a battle-ax. “Much better than a daeva hunt, don’t you think?”

I groaned. “Only Yadoshans would look at this as a game, Knox.”

“If we play to win, then why does it matter?” He bowed respectfully to Kance. “Your Majesty, we’ve come to lend our strength to yours. First Minister Stefan bids us to follow your orders as if they were his own.”

“I am honored by the faith your leader places in me, Lord Knox. My scouts have told me that King Aadil himself is within these mountains, and that there is some unrest among his soldiers, though the reason eludes us. We aim to take advantage of their unease and attack as soon as we are able.”

“Can’t the Lady Tea traipse into their heads and use runes to force information out of them? She seemed quite capable of it when we interrogated that Drychta spy.”

“That’s not how it works, milord,” I said.

“Drychta spy?” Kance asked curiously.

The man coughed, chastened. “Ah, nothing important, Your Majesty. My men await your orders.”

“The Faceless will be quick to fend off any intrusions, milord,” I reminded him. I’d already tried a quick Scry into the mountains but had detected nothing.

“Then let us begin. The Drychta are used to cavalry, and several phalanxes will be necessary. My Deathseekers shall attack first. It will be best to stay out of their way. My men shall move with archers behind them to cut down any approaching fighters. Once engaged, I would like your men to attack from both sides in a pincer maneuver. Lady Tea and Lord Kalen will direct the battle from overhead, on their azi.”

“Done and done, Your Majesty. Though I wager the azi’ll cut our work for us.”

“I’ve had my own experiences with daeva, and they are unpredictable, to say the least.” Kance’s voice was clipped. “I will put my trust in my men, and in yours. Let’s move out, and may whatever gods listening bestow their grace on us all this day.”